What Fitness Watch Is Right for You? Apple Watch, Garmin, Fitbit or Whoop?
Fitness wearables are no longer just step counters. Today’s devices track heart health, sleep quality, recovery, stress and training performance — but not all fitness watches are built for the same type of user.
If you’re deciding between an Apple Watch, Garmin, Fitbit or Whoop, the best choice depends entirely on how you train, how much data you want, and whether you value smart features or pure performance insights.
Here’s a clear breakdown to help you work out which fitness watch actually suits your lifestyle.
Apple Watch: Best All-Round Smartwatch With Fitness Built In
The Apple Watch is first and foremost a smartwatch, but it also offers strong fitness and health tracking. It’s designed to integrate seamlessly with iPhone, making it ideal for users who want health insights alongside everyday smart features.
Apple Watch is ideal if you:
- use an iPhone every day
- want fitness tracking plus calls, messages and apps
- value health features like ECG and fall detection
- prefer a polished, easy-to-use interface
Strengths include:
- activity rings and workout tracking
- heart rate, ECG and blood oxygen monitoring
- excellent app ecosystem
- tight integration with Apple Health
Things to consider: battery life is limited, usually lasting around one day, which can be inconvenient for sleep tracking or multi-day use.
Garmin: Best for Serious Training and Outdoor Sports
Garmin watches are built for performance-focused users. They prioritise training data, endurance and battery life over smart features.
Garmin is ideal if you:
- run, cycle, swim or train regularly
- compete in events or follow structured training plans
- want deep performance and recovery metrics
- spend time outdoors using GPS
Garmin excels at:
- accurate GPS and route tracking
- VO2 max, training readiness and recovery data
- body battery and stress monitoring
- long battery life, often 7–14 days or more
Things to consider: smartwatch features are basic, and the interface can feel overwhelming for casual users.
Fitbit: Best for Everyday Health and Simplicity
Fitbit focuses on health, wellbeing and ease of use. It’s designed for people who want clear insights without complex data.
Fitbit is ideal if you:
- want to track steps, sleep and general activity
- are focused on improving everyday health
- prefer a simple, easy-to-read app
- don’t need advanced training metrics
Fitbit strengths include:
- excellent sleep tracking and sleep scores
- heart rate and stress monitoring
- lightweight, comfortable designs
- battery life of up to a week
Things to consider: some advanced insights require a Fitbit Premium subscription.
Whoop: Best for Recovery, Strain and Performance Insights
Whoop is very different from the other options. It has no screen, no notifications and no step goals. Instead, it focuses entirely on recovery, strain and sleep.
Whoop is ideal if you:
- train frequently or at a high intensity
- want deep recovery and readiness insights
- don’t care about smartwatch features
- prefer wearing a device 24/7
Whoop excels at:
- sleep tracking and recovery scoring
- heart rate variability (HRV) analysis
- strain tracking across workouts and daily life
- continuous wear without charging interruptions
Things to consider: Whoop requires a subscription and offers no display, time or notifications.
Battery Life Comparison
- Garmin: 7–14 days or more
- Fitbit: 5–7 days
- Whoop: 4–5 days (continuous wear)
- Apple Watch: 1–2 days
If battery life matters most, Garmin and Whoop lead the way.
Which Fitness Watch Should You Choose?
Choose Apple Watch if you want:
- a full smartwatch experience
- strong health and safety features
- seamless iPhone integration
Choose Garmin if you want:
- serious training data
- outdoor and endurance tracking
- long battery life
Choose Fitbit if you want:
- simple health insights
- excellent sleep tracking
- a lightweight, easy-to-use device
Choose Whoop if you want:
- deep recovery and readiness metrics
- 24/7 performance tracking
- a screen-free, distraction-free wearable
If you’re considering upgrading, you can explore our range of refurbished smartwatches, all fully tested and a smart way to access premium wearables. And if you’re replacing older tech, you can also trade it in and put the value towards your next fitness upgrade.
